Thomas Lee Tollett

Thomas Lee Tollett, 78, of Memphis, TN, passed from this life on September 25, 2026. He was born March 16, 1948, in Texarkana, TX, to Thomas Oran Tollett and Eris Eloyce White Tollett. He grew up in Little Rock, AR, and graduated from Central High School. He met the love of his life, Jane Ann Ryun, during their first year of college and graduated with his Architecture degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. They then moved to Memphis, TN where he began his career working for local architectural firms and then for FedEx for 22 years in International Properties and Strategic Planning. He went on to work in facilities planning for Methodist Hospital before retiring.

Tom was a devoted husband to Janie for 57 years and a loving father to his two daughters, Tracy Price (wife of Alan) of Knoxville, TN, and Abbey Allman (wife of Jim) of Memphis, TN. He was a proud Papa to his grandchildren, Lauren Morse (wife of Dustin), Jacob Price, Asher Allman, and Asa Allman. He was a caring uncle to his nieces, Erin Roy (wife of Kerry) and Megan McEuen (wife of John) and his grand nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Orajean Wilson (wife of Phill Wilson).

A man of deep faith and love, Tom was an artist who was curious and compassionate—he loved his wife, his daughters, their husbands, his grandchildren, extended family, and friends. He was quick to make and imagine and to enrich lives with his inexhaustible curiosity, wisdom, and magnanimous heart.

He spent his time reading, encouraging, and creating. He was most at home when his imagination had a mission and built many props and costumes to create magical moments for his grandchildren’s everyday lives and special events.

Tom was enamored by the idea that God is a Creator and that the act of creating—whether a beautiful space or a meticulously crafted birthday card—participates in this larger reality, bringing glory and honor to the Great Artist. And because he saw God in this way, he was quick to recognize in you something of that same mystery: a very special image of the Maker of all things.

Tom was characterized by a life-long love of learning about our great God, His Word and His world! He was constantly reading, studying, and discovering throughout his days. He plumbed the depths of scripture and taught Sunday School for 27 years. And oh, how his face would light up as he spoke about His Heavenly Father. He delighted and meditated on God’s Words day and night up until his last.

The final note he wrote during his daily study of scripture in the sunroom was this:

“God’s glory is more important than my comfort!——

‘You have been grieved by various trials so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it be tested by fire—may be found to result in PRAISE and GLORY and HONOR at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:6-7’ “

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Southwoods at https://southwoodsbc.org/